West Newbury - West Newbury - John "Jean" L. Gagnon, of West Newbury, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in St. Adolphe, Manitoba, Canada, on April 27, 1935, a son of the late Joseph and Josephine (Leclerc) Gagnon.

John shared 66 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Cecile (LeFrancois) Gagnon.

At the age of 8, John and his family immigrated to the United States and settled in Salem, MA. He graduated from St. Joseph's Academy with the Class of 1954. As a young boy, he enjoyed delivering newspapers—an early sign of his dependable and hardworking nature. Following graduation, John proudly served in the Naval Reserves until 1961.

He began his working years as a candy maker at the Salem Old Fashioned Candy Company and left in 1970. He later built a career as a furniture salesman and retired in 1997 at 62 years old.

John had a deep love for his family and found joy in simple pleasures, especially growing vegetables in his garden to share with those he loved. He will be remembered for his calm, cool, and collected demeanor, as well as his encouraging and charismatic spirit.

In addition to his wife Cecile, John leaves behind his children: Denis Gagnon, George Gagnon, Donna Robinson and her husband Keith, Marie Mundy and her husband James, and John Gagnon and his wife Melissa. He also leaves his brother Leon Gagnon and his wife Georgette, 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.

John was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Josephine, as well as his siblings Ernest Gagnon, Theresa Cloutier, Denis Gagnon, and Peter Gagnon.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 on August 16, 2025 in the St. Ann's Church, 300 Main Street, West Newbury, MA. Family and friends are respectfully invited. Please visit remickgendron.com to sign his tribute page.